Only two episodes of Game of Thrones remain, which begs a lot of questions. While some of them involve the potential ascendency of Sansa Stark, surely an even bigger question involves her sister, namely: How far will Arya Stark get on completing her kill list? Does she even have time to cross off any names? (Or — shudder to think — will someone kill her?) Despite still being only a teenager, Arya has proven quite the prolific psychopath, leaving bodies stretching from Westeros to Essos, and spending her nights reciting the names of those she hopes will join them.
Indeed, Arya’s infamous “kill list” is downright Nixonian. Over the seven seasons, she’s been able to cross off many of those names, whether by her own hand or thanks to others who did it independently of her, thus robbing her of much-needed bloodthirsty satisfaction.
Yes, Arya’s tended to her romantic side this season, and good for her. But it seems getting some has only inflamed her jones for murder, too. Now that she’s back to her pet project, it’s a good time to return to that list, to see who’s still on it, and those that, well, aren’t.
Who’s still kill-listed:
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)
Cersei’s been on Arya’s list for a long time, thanks to her having a major hand in the execution of her father, Ned Stark (Sean Bean) — one of the highlights of Season 1. On top of that, the current queen regnant is happily sitting atop the Iron Throne.
Ilyn Payne (Wilko Johnson)
Speaking of papa Ned, Ilyn is the one who done the deed, being the King’s Landing executioner tasked with the job. Of course, he hasn’t been seen since Season 2. Part of the reason for that is this: Johnson, the actor who plays him, had to leave the show due to being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. It’s a relief, then, to hear Johnson’s health has been improving.
Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson)
Another long-timer on the kill list, Gregor got on Arya’s bad side back when she was trapped in Harrenhal circa Season 2, during which Gregor tortured many of the captives. He’s still with us, sort of: After being poisoned, the cure that saved him changed both his appearance and personality. Still, he’s still technically the same guy Arya hates.
Sandor “The Hound” Clegane (Rory McCann)
Remember Mycah, the nice butcher’s son who befriended Arya in Season 1? Remember how he was unfairly killed? Well, the Hound is the one who did it, and he’s still around, un-dead. Here’s the catch, though: He and Arya were on the same side against the Army of the Dead. Will loyalty trump vengeance? We have two more episodes to find out!
Meanwhile, here’s the mostly complete list of those who are no longer on Arya’s kill list because they’re dead, either by her hand or not:
Walder Frey (David Bradley): Thanks to his involvement in the infamous “Red Wedding” — which claimed both Arya’s brother, Robb, and mother, Catelyn — Arya got her revenge at the end of Season 6, but only after feeding him pies made of his own sons, Titus Andronicus-style.
Twin Lannister (Charles Dance): The mastermind behind the “Red Wedding” (see above) perished at the end of Season 4, but not courtesy of Arya. It was Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) who did it, filling him with arrows while he was on the can.
Meryn Trant (Ian Beattie): A member of the King’s guard, Meryn snuffed out Arya’s sword instructor from Season 1. That may not seem like a big deal, but it was enough for Arya to wait four whole seasons to stab him repeatedly.
Melisandre (Carice van Houten): The “witch,” as Arya called her, absconded with Gendry, Arya’s bestie and main squeeze, but Arya did not get the satisfaction of repaying the favor. Instead, Melisandre did the deed herself, taking off her magical necklace and disintegrating after the events of “The Long Night.”
Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer): Beric was the one who gave Gendry to Melisandre (see above), but as with The Hound, this one’s a bit complicated. Yes, Beric died, but only while saving Arya.
Thoros of Myr (Paul Kaye): Another one involved in the Gendry mishegoss, Thoros died by wandering over the wall and freezing to death.
Joffrey “Baratheon” (Jack Gleeson): The sadistic tyrant had a hand in Mycah’s death and demanded the execution of her dad. But again, Arya did not receive satisfaction herself. Instead, Petyr Baelish and Olenna Tyrell hatched an elaborate plot to poison him during his own wedding in Season 4’s “The Lion and The Rose.”
Rorge (Andy Beckwith): Let’s end with Arya actually acquiring satisfaction. A criminal-turned-member of the Night’s Watch, Rorge threatened her with violence and even rape. But Arya got her revenge. In Season 4’s “Mockingbird,” an accidental encounter in the Riverlands forest led to her taking him out. Nice work, Arya!
